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Home My WebLink AboutCOR-19-001 - 1440 Huron Road (Fire Station 7) Cellular Tower Land LeaseREPORT TO:Finance and Corporate Services Committee st DATE OF MEETING:January 21, 2019 SUBMITTED BY:Dan Murray,Director Technology Innovation and Services,519-741- 2200 x7825 PREPARED BY:Dan Murray,Director Technology Innovation and Services,519-741- 2200 x7825 WARD (S) INVOLVED:Ward 5 th DATE OF REPORT:January 7, 2019 REPORT NO.:COR-19-001 SUBJECT:1440Huron Road (Fire Station 7) Cellular Tower Land Lease ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement with Signum Wirelessto enter a land lease agreement for the purpose of installation of a telecommunications tower at 1440 Huron Road, said agreement to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and That the annual revenue from thisland lease agreement, be used to fund Digital Kitchener initiatives equally split between fundingfor community facing technology investments and funding to support internal digital transformation initiatives. BACKGROUND: City staff receiveda proposal from Signum Wirelessto enter a land lease agreement for locating a multicarrier cellular tower at 1440 Huron Road (Fire Station 7).Staff from Kitchener Fire, Planning, Facilities Management, Legal and Technology Innovation and Services have been working collaboratively withFontur International (on behalf of Signum Wireless)to investigate the feasibilityof the location and developing aland lease agreement.The proposed tower would be a 40m tri-pole with shrouding to enclose the cellular antenna modules. This would be the first telecommunications tower to be located on City of Kitchener lands. As wireless telecommunication use continues to grow and replace traditional wire-based telecommunications, the need for more locations to install both telecommunications towers and antenna installations to prepare for the next generation of telecommunications technology that is being referredto as 5G. Interest by wireless service providers in locating their antennas on public lands and assets is growing, which offers an opportunity to work more closely with the municipa locations for towers, the style of towers being built and can enforce the preference for providers ***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance. 7 - 1 to share tower locationswhen possible.The potential opportunityfor the City will be the topic of a future report to Council in relation to 5G research undertaken in 2018 as part of Digital REPORT: Tower Proposal for Fire Station The city received a proposal from FonturInternational (on behalf of Signum Wireless) expressing interest in entering into a land lease agreement for 1440 Huron Road (Fire Station 7) for the purposes of installing a 40 meter high multi carrier telecommunications tower. The proposal identified benefits to the City including revenue from the land lease and the agreement that Kitchener Fire can install antennas on the structure at no cost as part of the land lease agreement. Planning staff also indicated that the location at Fire Station 7 meets the preference for locating telecommunication towers. The area where the tower would be installed is a developing area and is currently underservicedby cellular providers. Staff discussed whether there was any location within the planned parkland that might be more suitable to locate the tower but as planning process for the park was complete and all areas within the park were allocated, the only appropriate location was close to the Fire Station. Locating the tower away from the Fire Station buildingwould also prevent the benefit to Kitchener Fire of using the tower forfuture installation of antenna equipment. Citystaff met to look at possible locations to install a tower on the property around Fire Station 7. A location at the back of the property was selected to situate the towerto reducetower visibilityfrom the road, to avoid other utilities on the propertyand the proposed stormwater pond, and to ensure it would not impact Kitchener Fire operations.A before and after rendering of the proposed tower location is below. 7 - 2 Public Consultation A formal planning site review process was then initiated which began the public notice and consultation process. A letter outlining the proposed location and style of tower was sent to all property owners within 120m of the subject property (1440 Huron Road) which included all the land for RBJ Schlegel Park. The letter was sent to a total of 44 property owners. The letter asked property owners for feedback and also notified them of a public meeting they could attend for more information. No correspondence was received from any property owners expressing concerns. An information sessionwasheld with Kitchener Fire staff located at Fire Station 7 as well to ensure that any questions regarding the proposal could be answered. th A public meeting was held at Williamsburg Community Centre on June 6, 2018 to meet with interested members of the community. Three community members attended the public meeting. Of those attending, the concerns raised related to safety concerns having cellular antennas located close to their residence and the effect that a telecommunications tower may have on their property values. One attendee representing Schlegel Urban Developments noted their existing application to Industry Canadato install a stealth single carrier tower already underway close to this tower. Recommended Direction As the installation of the telecommunications tower and antennas will meet all Industry Canada Safety Code 6 requirements which governs all radio frequency antenna installations, there is no scientific validation over concern for safety. Industry studies have also shown that telecommunications towers do not have a negative impact on property values. Industry Canada provides guidance that concerns over property values should not be used as a basis for approval of tower locations. Schlegel Urban Developments formal request for a tower was received well in advance of the expected timeframe for the City to make a decision on the Fire Station 7 tower location. As such, Planning staff proceeded with a letter of concurrence to Industry Canada for the single carrier protocol which acknowledges that where a stealth tower design is important, it can be done at the expense of co-location. Staff are recommending we proceed with the land lease for 1440 Huron Road for the installation of the telecommunication tower,which will improve cellular services in the Huron and Fischer- Hallman area and provide the City with an ongoing revenue source to fund further technology investments for community benefit. 7 - 3 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority:Strong and Resilient Economy Strategy:2.1 Foster a business environment that stimulates innovation and job creation, helping startup entrepreneurs establish and grow their business Strategic Action:#EC07 Broadband and Fibre Optic Infrastructure FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The City will financially benefit from hosting the telecommunications tower on our land. The structure of this particular agreement ensures that the City receives annual income from hosting the tower on City property. The agreement also includes an income sharing model where the City receives further income when the second and third carrier leases tower space from the tower owner. The land lease agreement will result in a minimum of $14,000 per year with one cellular provider committed. With each additional carrier for each broadband telephone licensee, the City will receive additional revenue.Actual annual revenue will be negotiated through the finalization of the lease agreement. It is recommended that the revenue from this telecommunication tower land lease be directed to fund Digital Kitchener initiatives equally split between: 1. public facing initiatives that support increased access to technology for our community (e.g. Public Wi-Fi, Public Access Computers) 2. internal digital transformation initiatives (with priority consideration for funding initiatives to be made to divisions facilitating or hosting a cell tower installation) Examples of access to technology initiatives would be free public Wi-Fi installations or increased public access technology programs,which are an important themeof the Digital Kitchener strategy.Revenue will be directed to a Digital Kitchener account and disbursement of funds will be at the discretion of Corporate Leadership Team(CLT) to ensure accordance with the established criteria. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM A letter and information pamphlet was sent directly to all property owners within 120m of the subject property (1440 Huron Road) outlining the proposal for the telecommunication tower. This report committee meeting. th CONSULT A public meeting was held at Williamsburg Community Centre on June 6, 2018 to meet with interested members of the community. Property owners were also invited to submit comments or concernsto the Director,Technology Innovation and Services. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Victoria Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services 7 - 4